Pakistan: Tragedy in Sindh - 30 dead, 80 injured as Hazara Express derails

Sindh, August 6:  In a devastating incident, at least 30 people lost their lives, and over 80 others were injured after ten coaches of the Hazara Express derailed near Sahara Railway Station in Sindh's Nawabshah district, approximately 275 kilometers away from Karachi.

Benazirabad Division Commissioner Abbas Baloch confirmed the death toll and reported that some passengers were still trapped in one of the affected coaches of the Havelian-bound Hazara Express. Emergency measures have been imposed in hospitals of the district, and a relief train is en route to the site.

The cause of the derailment remains unknown. The wreckage clearance is underway, but authorities are facing challenges due to the need for large machinery to clear one remaining bogie.

The tragic incident has resulted in the suspension of train operations to and from the interior districts of Sindh, with railway authorities estimating up to 18 hours to restore services.

The ill-fated train was carrying a large number of passengers, possibly exceeding its capacity, which raises concerns about heavy material and loss of lives.

The Pakistan Army, Rangers, and local authorities have been actively involved in rescue operations, providing immediate medical aid, food, and transportation for the injured.

This disaster adds to the country's shoddy record of train accidents, with several deadly incidents occurring in the past decade. In June 2021, a collision between two trains near Daharki in Sindh claimed at least 65 lives and injured around 150 others. The Tezgam express train fire in October 2019 resulted in the death of at least 75 passengers, while a two-train collision in Ghotki in 2005 claimed over 100 lives. The recent accident occurred just a day after a derailment involving three coaches of the Allama Iqbal Express, although no injuries were reported.

Pakistan's railway system has been facing challenges, and authorities have been striving to secure funds for upgrades, especially in the context of China's Belt and Road Initiative for infrastructure projects.

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